Brewery Marketing 101: Why Claiming Your Google Business Profile Should Be a Top Priority
When someone searches for “breweries near me,” “best local breweries,” or “brewery with trivia tonight,” does your brewery show up? If it does, is the information accurate? Can potential customers easily find your taproom hours, see photos of your space, read reviews, and get directions?
If you aren't sure, it's time to check your Google Business Profile.
Claiming your brewery's listing on Google is one of the simplest and most cost-effective marketing steps you can take. It's free, doesn't require a marketing degree, and can help more potential customers discover your brewery.
Why Google Matters for Your Brewery
Think about how people decide where to spend an evening. They pull out their phones, search for places nearby, check the hours, look at photos, and read reviews. If your brewery isn't easy to find online, you could be losing customers before they ever walk through your door.
Here's why claiming your Google Business Profile matters.
1. Help New Customers Find Your Brewery
Google Business Profile helps your brewery appear in Google Search and Google Maps. When people search for local breweries, taprooms, or places to enjoy a night out, an accurate profile gives them another way to discover your business.
You can't guarantee a particular search ranking, but maintaining a complete, accurate profile gives potential customers useful information when they're deciding where to go.
2. Make Sure Your Information Is Correct
Nothing frustrates a potential customer quite like arriving at a brewery only to discover it's closed, or finding out that the event advertised online happened last week.
With a claimed profile, you can manage important details such as:
Your brewery's address and phone number
Regular business hours and special holiday hours
Your website link
Photos of your taproom, outdoor seating, beer, and events
Available business attributes and other relevant details
Keep this information current, especially during holiday weekends, seasonal schedule changes, and special events.
3. Show Customers What Makes Your Brewery Special
Your Google listing is more than a digital address book. It's an opportunity to showcase the experience customers can expect when they visit.
Upload inviting photos of your taproom, outdoor patio, food offerings, new beer releases, and community events. If you host trivia nights, live music, food trucks, or seasonal celebrations, use your available profile features to help people learn what's happening.
A potential customer who sees a welcoming space and an event that interests them has another reason to give your brewery a try.
4. Manage and Respond to Customer Reviews
Reviews can influence where people choose to spend their money. Claiming your profile allows you to respond to reviews as the business owner.
Thank customers for positive feedback. When someone shares a complaint, respond professionally and offer a constructive path toward resolving the issue when appropriate.
Your response isn't just for the person who left the review. Other potential customers may read it, too.
5. Give Your Other Marketing Efforts a Boost
Maybe you're promoting a new beer, advertising trivia night, or sharing an upcoming fundraiser on social media. Your Google Business Profile can complement those efforts by giving customers a reliable place to find your brewery's core information.
You can also share eligible updates and offers through Google's available posting features. Just remember that a Google listing works best as part of your overall marketing strategy, alongside your website, email list, and social media channels.
How to Claim Your Brewery's Google Business Profile
The process is straightforward, and it shouldn't cost you anything.
Step 1: Search for Your Brewery
Before creating anything new, search for your brewery by name on Google or Google Maps.
You might discover that Google has already created a listing using information gathered from other public sources. That's perfectly normal.
If your brewery already appears, check whether the profile is claimed and who manages it.
Step 2: Claim Your Existing Listing or Create a New One
Visit Google's official Business Profile page:
https://business.google.com/add
Follow the instructions to find and select your brewery.
If an existing, unclaimed profile appears: Select the option to claim or manage it.
If no profile exists: Follow the prompts to add your brewery's information.
If someone else has already verified the profile: Request access or ownership rather than creating a duplicate listing.
Use your brewery's real business information and follow Google's eligibility and address guidelines.
Step 3: Verify That You're Authorized to Manage the Business
Google requires verification to confirm that you have permission to manage the listing.
The verification methods available will depend on your business and Google's requirements. Follow the instructions presented during setup, which may involve a video recording or another verification method.
Complete the process before assuming you have full control of the profile.
Step 4: Complete Your Business Information
Once you've gained access, review every section of your profile.
Make sure you have:
The correct brewery name, address, and phone number
Accurate opening hours, including special hours when applicable
The right primary business category and any relevant additional categories
Your official website
A clear, compelling business description
High-quality photos of your brewery and taproom
Relevant attributes and other available details
Don't overlook your website link. Customers who want to check your beer menu, browse upcoming events, or learn about private rentals should have an easy way to find that information.
Step 5: Add Photos and Keep the Profile Active
Your brewery is a visual business, so take advantage of that.
Start with a few strong photos of your exterior, taproom, beer, patio, and customers enjoying events—with appropriate permission for identifiable people.
Then establish a simple routine for keeping the profile current. Add new photos when you release seasonal beers, renovate your space, or host a noteworthy event. Use available update features to promote events and announcements when appropriate.
You don't need to post every day. Consistency and accuracy matter more than filling your profile with constant updates.
Step 6: Start Managing Your Reviews
Check your reviews regularly and make responding part of your normal marketing routine.
A simple thank-you can reinforce a positive experience. A thoughtful response to criticism can demonstrate that you take customer feedback seriously.
Avoid arguing with reviewers or sharing private customer information. And never offer incentives in exchange for positive reviews; follow Google's review policies.
What If Someone Else Owns Your Listing?
This situation is more common than you might think. A former employee, marketing agency, or previous owner may have verified the profile.
Go to Google's Business Profile management page and search for your brewery. If someone else manages the listing, follow Google's process to request access.
The current owner is generally given an opportunity to respond. If the request is denied or you don't receive a response, Google provides further steps that may allow you to claim or appeal, depending on the circumstances.
Official instructions are available here:
https://support.google.com/business/answer/4566671
One important tip: Make sure the brewery retains ownership of its profile even if an outside marketing company helps manage it.
Your Brewery's Google Profile Checklist
Set aside 30 minutes this week to work through this list:
Search for your brewery on Google and Google Maps.
Claim and verify your listing, or confirm that you already manage it.
Check your address, phone number, website, and hours.
Upload several recent, high-quality photos.
Review your business categories and available attributes.
Check your customer reviews and respond where appropriate.
Add an upcoming event or relevant update if the feature is available.
Schedule a monthly reminder to review your information.
Final Thoughts: A Small Task With Long-Term Marketing Value
Brewery owners have plenty to worry about, from brewing schedules and staffing to inventory and keeping customers happy. Online listings may not feel like the most urgent item on your to-do list, but they're an important part of helping new customers discover your business.
Claiming your Google Business Profile is free, relatively simple, and gives you greater control over the information people see when they search for your brewery.
Take a few minutes to check your listing this week. Make sure the information is accurate, showcase what makes your brewery worth visiting, and give customers a clear path from an online search to a seat at your bar.
More visibility starts with making it easy for people to find you.
